Microbial Engineering IV
Conference Venue
The Hilton Hotel Malta (Vjal Portomaso, Saint Julian's, Island of Malta STJ4012 Malta) at Portomaso, Malta is located on the seaside (Spinola Bay) overlooking the Portomaso Marina, in the heart of St. Julian’s. It is just 15 minutes from the ancient capital city of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel features a concierge, free WiFi, a spa, tennis, both an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, and parking (5 euro/night).
Malta is an archipelago of five islands in the Mediterranean Sea, located between Sicily (about 80 kilometers south of Sicily) and the North African coast (180 kilometers from Libya and Tunisia). Even though it is an archipelago, only the three largest islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino) are inhabited. It has a very strategic location and thus was occupied by many civilizations including the Romans, Moors, Knights of Saint John, French and the British. It gained its independence in 1964. It has a warm climate and thus is a popular tourist destination. There are nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites which honor its history and architecture. Of particular interest is the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating back to 4000 B.C. Malta is also a popular film location because of its dramatic cliffs, stunning landscapes and ancient buildings. The official languages are Maltese and English although Italian is also widely spoken. Practically all citizens speak English. It is the smallest country in the EU.
The island of Malta played a vital strategic role in World War II as a base of the Allied powers. It was heavily bombarded by German and Italian aircraft and was essentially devastated by the end of the war.
The capital, Valletta, is modern with a rich history. There are numerous monuments and cultural sites, including the St. John’s Co-Cathedral which was built by one of the earlier Grandmasters of the Knights Hospitaller. It contains Caravaggio paintings. Sliema is the most modern and built up area and with nearby St. Julian, it forms a near continuous town spread over two adjacent peninsulas. On the main island is the ancient capital of Mina, also known as the Silent City. Its history traces back more than 4000 years as it was here in 60 A.D. that the Apostle St. Paul is said to have lived after being shipwrecked on the islands. The Maltese are renowned for their warmth, hospitality and generosity to strangers, a trait that was noted in the Acts of the Apostles, with respect to the experience of St. Paul, the Apostle. The eight-pointed, or Maltese, cross, adopted by the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem in 1126, is commonly linked with Malta’s identity and is printed on the country’s euro coin. Valletta is one of Europe’s finest examples of an ancient walled city and extraordinary in its mix of medieval and Baroque architecture.
Travel Information
Ground Transportation
| Options | Price (€) | Price ($) | Duration | |
| Taxi | 20 | 21.50 | 22 min | |
| Bus | 2-3 | 2.14-3.20 | 23-51 min | |
| Shuttle | 7 | 7.50 | 32 min | |
Malta Airport to St. Julian’s by Taxi
Taxi services between MIA and any destination in Malta are available 24 hours a day. Pre-paid tickets can be purchased at fixed rates from the taxi booth in our Welcomers’ Hall upon your arrival.
Alternatively, you may book your rides directly through the Malta Taxi app, which is available on both Google Play and the App Store.
For more information, you may visit www.maltataxi.mt.
Email: mtla@maltataxi.com.
Phone: +356 23696441
Malta Airport to St. Julian’s by Bus
Malta Public Transport operates several bus routes which link the airport to various localities around Malta. The “X” Routes will take you to most localities on the island, with various stops along the way, whilst the Tallinja Direct Routes (TD Routes) will take you directly to your destination.
Bus X2 -an express bus line that makes few intermediate stops- travels from the bus stop lying across the road from the terminal’s exit doors on the Ground level to St. Julian’s. It has available routes from 06:00 am to 11:00 pm every hour and takes 51 minutes to reach its destination.
If you opt for an onboard bus ticket, you’ll pay 2€/2.14$. You can use cash or bank cards. However, if you pay in cash, you should carry small notes. Please note that cash tickets allow free bus rides within a 2-hour time frame.
Alternatively, you can buy a Tallinja Card. Tickets and Tallinja Cards are sold via the automatic machines adjacent to the bus stop and outside the Sales Office, at the Malta Public Transport Information and Sales Office which is situated at the Arrivals area and is open from 08:00 am to 07:30 pm, and the WHSmith Outlet lying at the Welcomers’ hall and operating from 10:00 am to 07:00 pm.
Explore Cards allow free bus journeys for 7 days and are priced at 21€/22.50$ for adults and 15€/16.10$ for children (up to 10 years of age). However, they can’t be used for rides with the Tallinja Direct Bus. On the other hand, Explore Flex Cards can be charged with money while providing lower ticket fares (pay-as-you-go system) or be loaded with travel packages, offering free bus rides, journeys with the Hop On Hop Off bus, etc. They cost 6€/6.40$, but their fare is actually a credit for upcoming rides. They are valid for journeys with public buses, Valletta ferry, etc., but not for Tallinja Direct Routes. Finally, 12 Single Day Journey Cards can be used for 12 journeys during the day, 6 rides during the night, or a combination of both. Still, they can be used by only one person, but also for rides with Tallinja Direct Buses. Their cost is 15€/16.10$.
The Tallinja Direct Route
Apart from the express bus, TD2 (Tallinja Direct Route 2) also links Malta Airport to St. Julian’s. The direct bus departs from MLA from 05:30 am to 00:30 am on a 20-minute frequency and reaches St. Julian’s in about 23 minutes. However, during non-peak hours, it has available routes every hour. One-way tickets for TD2 cost 3€/3.20$ and are available from the driver inside the bus. On the other hand, 12 Journey Cards can also be used. As a matter of fact, you’ll need 2 journey tickets for the TD2 journey to St. Julian’s.
Further information about these routes is available here: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/airport-services
The bus service runs from just outside the Malta International Airport terminal, across the road from the Check-In Hall.
Another bus stop is located on the left-hand side of the terminal next to McDonald’s.
You may also find Malta Public Transport’s official bus schedule here: https://www.publictransport.com.mt/en/timetables
Malta Airport to St. Julian’s by Shuttle
Besides the public buses, the official airport shuttle company (Malta Transfers) also connects Malta Airport to St. Julian’s. Coaches are wheelchair-accessible and have luggage racks. Still, each passenger is allowed to have one piece of luggage and one carry-on. The bus stop of airport shuttles lies at the Coach Car Park, the parking lot right next to the terminal building. The ride from Malta Airport to St. Julian’s lasts around 32 minutes and costs 7€/7.50$. Nevertheless, if you buy more than one ticket, you’ll benefit from lower ticket fares. In any case, tickets are available at the Malta Transfer Desks situated at the baggage claim zone, online, or via the company’s app.